Stanford’s Ryan Whalen has been named an Academic All-American.
Whalen, a junior wide receiver for the Cardinal, made the second team with a 3.43 grade point average. The honor was voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America and presented by ESPN The Magazine.
To be eligible, candidates must receive significant playing time — Whalen is a starter and Stanford’s leading receiver — and hold at least sophomore standing and a 3.30 GPA.
Whalen, a Science, Technology and Society major, joins a long line of Cardinal Academic All-Americans, but is the first football player to receive the award since Troy Walters in 1999.
Whalen was Stanford’s leading receiver against Notre Dame last week. He pulled in six passes for 75 yards and a score in the Cardinal’s 45-38 victory and has 54 receptions for 861 yards and four touchdowns on the year.
Stanford will next be in action in its bowl game, which has yet to be determined.